Ronaldinho among previous Ballon D'or winners who…

Ronaldinho among previous Ballon D'or winners who backed Bukayo Saka in the Kopa Trophy vote

Arsenal academy product Bukayo Saka has caught the eye of some big names in the world of football, with voting for the Kopa trophy having been revealed.

Barcelona's Gavi was somewhat of a surprise winner of the trophy which is awarded yearly as part of the Ballon d'Or ceremony which took place this week. It is voted for by former Ballon d'Or winners alone, with each nominating three players for the award which is open to players under the age of 21.

Chelsea transfer target Jude Bellingham was also considered a frontrunner for the award, but it was former Blues academy product Jamal Musiala who finished third behind Eduardo Camavinga in 2nd. However, despite disappointment for Saka, who finished eighth, he will be buoyed by having received the backing of some huge names within the world of football.

Spanish publication Sport has revealed the voting, with Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho naming Saka third on his list behind Camavinga and Gavi. Saka was also named third by Dutch legends Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, with prominent footballing luminaries backing the 21-year-old.

Lionel Messi voted for Gavi, with a number of former Barcelona players backing the Spain international, including Hristo Stoichkov and Rivaldo. However, eighth is a creditable showing for Saka for whom this is the last year he is eligible for the award as he has just turned 21.

Bellingham, meanwhile, will be inspired by the fact that he was backed for the award by Zinedine Zidane, whom he watched this year's Champions League final alongside at the Stade de France. He was also named as third by Messi, with recognition coming from a current star of world football a huge boost for the Birmingham City academy product.

Full voting here:

Luis Suarez (1960 Ballon d'Or winner)